Left-field question: Can you walk away and leave a Prius running with the doors locked?

I grew up in a similar situation. And the situation there hasn't changed, the family farm vehicles usually have a key left inside in plain view. The main reason to pull the key out of the ignition is to shut off the door-open chimes, and prevent any associated battery rundown.

When visiting there now, I usually leave a spare key fob inside my own car too. The risk of being left keyless by a farm house fire, a day's drive away from my own home, seems greater than the risk of vehicle theft.

 

You have inspired me...
I'm going to dig a big hole in the ground...
Drive my car into said hole...
Fill the hole with cement...
Let the cement dry...
Cover the now dry concrete in dirt...
Cover the dirt with leaves, twigs and grass...
Laugh at the new time someone tries to "steal my car" parked in front of my house...
(✓sarcasm )

 

Don't forget to cancel the SafetyConnect subscription first.

 

So if the car was hot wired to start up, it was running? I've seen many MacGyver episodes, those cars were running all the time for him.

 

The plain meaning of that statement means without hot-wiring or other special semi-special-skill actions. E.g. no MacGyvering needed.

 

Well, other than MacGyvering your way past the locked door ... which bears know how to do.